Here are some of the most frequently asked questions. And the answers!
Is Olix fully licensed?
Yes, Olix Pty Ltd operates under the Fair Trading Building Licence #215687C, a residential building licence granted under the Home Building Act 1989.
Building licences are granted by Fair Trading NSW. They are also the overseeing body that deal with complaints and queries.
Olix Building is a trading entity of Olix Pty. Ltd. along with Blue Mountains Building Company.
You can check licence status and see if there are complaints about a builder’s work on Fair Trading NSW.
The Australian Business Number for Olix Building is: 47 334 880 610.
Who owns Olix?
Olix is owned and operated by Richard van den Broek, a qualified builder who lived in Blue Mountains for over 20 years before relocating to Sydney in 2020.
He also operates Blue Mountains Building Company.
Richard’s formal qualifications include a Carpentry Trade Certificate, Certificate 1V in Residential Construction, a Bachelor of Economics (Sydney University) and a Graduate Diploma of Management (Macquarie University).
Richard is an accredited HIA Greensmart Professional. GreenSmart was established by HIA in 1999 to promote practical, affordable and durable environmental solutions for residential design and construction.
Richard is committed to providing excellent customer service and is approachable, respectful and informative, providing high-quality workmanship and on-time delivery of jobs.
He personally handles the quote, design and council application process as well as the hands-on building and site supervision.
What if I live in a heritage zoned area?
In every local government area, there is a complex series of Local Environment Plans (LEP) and Development Control Plans (DCP) in force. These are enacted to preserve the particular feel of localities, preserve our heritage architecture and enhance livability for the residents.
Different streets and areas within suburbs may carry Heritage restrictions. This will dictate the style and precise architectural elements that are acceptable in any building project.
To determine which plans may affect our property, refer to the NSW Planning Portal.
Which planning exemptions affect me?
The LEPs and SEPPs can be viewed online at the NSW Planning Portal. The portal provides lots of information about the process of development control.
Here are a few of the larger council areas LEPs.
How long will the Council approval process take?
That’s the hardest question of all 🙂
Read Your guide to the DA process on the NSW Planning Portal for a step-by-step explanation.
I'm worried my house contains asbestos. What should I do?
Asbestos is still very common in houses built before e1980. It is often found in eaves and in bathrooms, laundries and sheds.
Olix uses a licenced asbestos remover and complies with all SafeWork Australia regulations on handling and disposal.
Richard is experienced in identifying where asbestos may be used and can remove and dispose of small amounts safely using masks, gloves and protective overalls.
See AsbestosWise for more information.
Do you build eco-friendly houses?
One day, hopefully, every building project will be an environmentally friendly one!
Despite many of our client’s best intentions, most people need to balance budget with aspiration.
Olix believes that if the guiding principles of sustainable design are followed in the design stage; living areas positioned to the north and east sides of the house where light and sunshine can be easily accessed; eaves deep enough to shade interior spaces during summer; and flow-through ventilation and air circulation made a priority, then much can be achieved in livability.
Good design can then be supplemented with selected building materials and environmentally-friendly systems to manage waste, water and power requirements. There are a number of high-quality, innovative products now in the domestic home market including, double glazed windows and doors, water retention and reticulation systems, solar power generation and storage systems, and a range of sophisticated thermal insulation choices.
Your preferences for sustainable building materials will be governed by budget, council requirements, and availability.
And last, but not least, what about COVID-19?
We’re committed to keeping your family—and ours—safe from COVID-19.
When working on your site, Olix and their subcontractors observe the following:
- Observes all Public Health Orders and safety regulations when on-site.
- Refrain from attending the worksite and seek appropriate testing if they are experiencing any of the COVID-19 symptoms.
- Maintain social distancing between you and your family, as per all current guidelines.
- Wear masks when required, indoors or out.
- Wash hands before and after any interaction with you or your family.
- Wash hands before and after moving or adjusting household furniture, fixtures or fittings.
Olix carries a supply of P95 masks as well as alcohol-based wipes to clean surfaces that you and your family may come into contact with.
Some tradespeople can work effectively while socially distanced, however, there are some jobs that require close interaction, such as lifting beams into place or assembling roof components. If Health Orders prevent this, we will stage your construction to suit the COVID-19 environment.